Stage 8 Troon to Irvine
Short Beach Route - Troon Harbour - Barassie shore - Irvine Beach Park and Harbour - Ancient Burgh of Irvine
Distance: 10 km = 6 miles
Time: 3 hours
Car Parks: Troon Harbour Road – Irvine Beach Park
Walking summary: Easy - promenade, pavements, paths, sandy beaches.
8A. Longer Inland Detour via Dundonald and The Smugglers’ Trail – a new local walk – to Irvine:
i) Troon Harbour - Templehill - Portland Street - A759 - Loans – Smugglers’ Trail via Troon Reservoir - Dundonald Woods - Dundonald Castle and Visitor Centre
Distance: 7.6 km = 4.1 miles
ii) Dundonald Castle – Smugglers’ Trail - Troon Reservoir – A759 to Dundonald roundabout - National Cycle Network (NCN7) - Shewalton Woods - Gailes - Irvine Beach Park and Harbour - Ancient Burgh of Irvine
Distance: 11.5 km = 7 miles
We strongly advise purchase of the Guide Book for a detailed description and map of the route.
Points of Interest
Transport: Train service. Good bus service. Ferries to Northern Ireland.
Historical: Tide Telegraph. Ship Inn and old Harbourside dwellings. Eglinton Trophy, Cunninghame House (see 10A). Seagate and Seagate Castle. Glasgow Vennel.
General: Distant views of Southern Uplands. Ayr and Irvine Bay seascapes. Bridge of Scottish Invention. Magnum Leisure Centre. Scottish Maritime Museum. Irvine town centre.
Nature: Sea and Shore birds - Troon North Sands. Fragile dune and heathland ecology. Estuary birds on Bogside mudflats.
Eating/Provisions: Templehill shops, pubs and restaurants. Troon Morrisons. Barassie shops and cafe. Irvine shops, pubs and restaurants.
Public Toilets: Barassie shore. Irvine Beach Park.
Accommodation: Troon B&Bs, Guesthouses and Hotels. List of Accommodation Irvine Beach Park.
Walking: Walkers now have a choice of routes to Irvine - a 10 km (6 miles) stroll along the sands to Irvine - or a somewhat longer journey of 19 km (11.5 miles) to incorporate a visit to the ancient Royal Castle of Dundonald. Dundonald Castle is famous as the birthplace of the Stuart Dynasty of Kings and Queens of Scotland and later - from 1603 - of Great Britain. See the accommodation section for more information.